Patentable/Patents/US-8471844
US-8471844

Streaming geometry for use in displaying and editing 3D imagery

PublishedJune 25, 2013
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Inventorsnot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

Method and systems are provided using streaming geometry in 3D imagery production. In one implementation a method for use in the display of 3D video images comprises receiving a first set of data corresponding to an output from a layout in a production pipeline, generating geometry data for one or more objects represented within the first set of data, merging the geometry data for each of the one or more objects to create one or more merged files, generating a table of contents, wherein the table of contents specifies the location of the geometry data for each of the one or more objects within the one or more merged files and storing the geometry data and the table of contents to a memory device for subsequent retrieval.

Patent Claims
18 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A method for use in the display of 3D imagery comprising: receiving at a processor-based system, a first set of data corresponding to an output from a layout in a production pipeline; generating via the processor-based system, geometry data for one or more objects represented within the first set of data; merging the geometry data for each of the one or more objects to create one or more merged files; generating a table of contents, wherein the table of contents specifies the location of the geometry data for each of the one or more objects within the one or more merged files; and storing the geometry data and the table of contents to a memory device for subsequent retrieval by a system running an editing software for editing stereoscopic 3D imagery; wherein the generating the geometry data step comprises identifying one or more objects in motion represented within the first set of data and ignoring fixed components of the first set of data and wherein the fixed components of the first set of data are forwarded to the system running the editing software as originally provided by the layout.

Plain English Translation

A method for displaying 3D imagery involves a computer system receiving data from a layout in a production pipeline. The system generates geometry data for objects in the data, merges this data into one or more files, and creates a table of contents that maps objects to their locations within the merged files. This geometry data and table of contents are stored for later retrieval by editing software used for stereoscopic 3D imagery. The system identifies moving objects, generates geometry data for them, and sends unchanging (fixed) parts of the original data to the editing software, avoiding unnecessary geometry processing for static scene elements.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the generating the geometry data step further comprises: generating the geometry data for each of the one or more objects; and formatting the geometry data for each of the one or more objects.

Plain English Translation

The method for displaying 3D imagery as described includes a computer system receiving data from a layout in a production pipeline; generating geometry data for objects in the data, merging this data into one or more files, creating a table of contents that maps objects to their locations within the merged files; storing the data and table of contents for later use by 3D editing software; identifying moving objects to generate geometry while forwarding fixed data components directly to the software. The geometry data generation further includes generating the actual geometry data for each object, and formatting this geometry data to prepare it for efficient use by the display system.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the formatting the geometry data step comprises texturizing the geometry data for each of the one or more objects.

Plain English Translation

The method for displaying 3D imagery as described includes a computer system receiving data from a layout in a production pipeline; generating geometry data for objects in the data, merging this data into one or more files, creating a table of contents that maps objects to their locations within the merged files; storing the data and table of contents for later use by 3D editing software; identifying moving objects to generate geometry while forwarding fixed data components directly to the software. The geometry data generation includes generating the actual geometry data for each object, and formatting this data, where the formatting step specifically involves texturizing the geometry data for each object, adding surface details and visual properties.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the formatting the geometry data step comprises memory aligning the geometry data into fixed sized memory blocks.

Plain English Translation

The method for displaying 3D imagery as described includes a computer system receiving data from a layout in a production pipeline; generating geometry data for objects in the data, merging this data into one or more files, creating a table of contents that maps objects to their locations within the merged files; storing the data and table of contents for later use by 3D editing software; identifying moving objects to generate geometry while forwarding fixed data components directly to the software. The geometry data generation includes generating the actual geometry data for each object, and formatting this data, where the formatting involves memory-aligning the geometry data into fixed-size memory blocks for optimized data transfer.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the fixed sized memory blocks are compatible with the size of memory blocks of a video display application that will utilize the geometry data.

Plain English Translation

The method for displaying 3D imagery as described includes a computer system receiving data from a layout in a production pipeline; generating geometry data for objects in the data, merging this data into one or more files, creating a table of contents that maps objects to their locations within the merged files; storing the data and table of contents for later use by 3D editing software; identifying moving objects to generate geometry while forwarding fixed data components directly to the software. The geometry data generation includes generating the actual geometry data for each object, and formatting this data, where the formatting involves memory-aligning the geometry data into fixed-size memory blocks that are designed to be compatible with the memory block sizes used by the video display application that will process the geometry data.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first set of data comprises deformable geometry data corresponding to the objects represented within the first set of data.

Plain English Translation

The method for displaying 3D imagery involves a computer system receiving data from a layout in a production pipeline. The system generates geometry data for objects in the data, merges this data into one or more files, and creates a table of contents that maps objects to their locations within the merged files. This geometry data and table of contents are stored for later retrieval by editing software used for stereoscopic 3D imagery. The system identifies moving objects, generates geometry data for them, and sends unchanging (fixed) parts of the original data to the editing software. The initial data received contains deformable geometry information describing how the objects can change shape.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising formatting the geometry data into a first format matching a format used by an imaging application, wherein the storing the geometry data step comprises storing the geometry data in the first format.

Plain English Translation

The method for displaying 3D imagery involves a computer system receiving data from a layout in a production pipeline. The system generates geometry data for objects in the data, merges this data into one or more files, and creates a table of contents that maps objects to their locations within the merged files. This geometry data and table of contents are stored for later retrieval by editing software used for stereoscopic 3D imagery. The system identifies moving objects, generates geometry data for them, and sends unchanging (fixed) parts of the original data to the editing software. The method also involves formatting the generated geometry data into a specific format required by an imaging application, and then storing the data in this format for immediate compatibility.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the geometry data is adapted to be directly copied from the memory device and into a graphics card memory of a video display device.

Plain English Translation

The method for displaying 3D imagery involves a computer system receiving data from a layout in a production pipeline. The system generates geometry data for objects in the data, merges this data into one or more files, and creates a table of contents that maps objects to their locations within the merged files. This geometry data and table of contents are stored for later retrieval by editing software used for stereoscopic 3D imagery. The system identifies moving objects, generates geometry data for them, and sends unchanging (fixed) parts of the original data to the editing software. The generated geometry data is specifically designed so it can be directly copied from the storage device into the graphics card memory of a video display device, minimizing processing overhead.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the geometry data corresponds to one or more sequences of images and each merged file corresponds to a shot within a respective one of the one or more sequences.

Plain English Translation

The method where geometry data is designed for direct transfer to graphics card memory, involves data corresponding to image sequences, where each merged file contains geometry information for a specific shot within those sequences. The method for displaying 3D imagery involves a computer system receiving data from a layout in a production pipeline. The system generates geometry data for objects in the data, merges this data into one or more files, and creates a table of contents that maps objects to their locations within the merged files. This geometry data and table of contents are stored for later retrieval by editing software used for stereoscopic 3D imagery. The system identifies moving objects, generates geometry data for them, and sends unchanging (fixed) parts of the original data to the editing software.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the generating the geometry data step comprises generating the geometry data for the one or more objects represented within the first set of data for one or more sequences, wherein the storing the geometry data step comprising storing the geometry data and the table of contents for the one or more sequences to the memory device for subsequent retrieval, the method further comprising: outputting, after completion of the storing step, the geometry data to an imaging application for display.

Plain English Translation

The method, where geometry data corresponds to image sequences, and where merged files each correspond to a shot within those sequences, involves generating geometry for objects across multiple image sequences and storing the data with its table of contents for later retrieval. The method also includes outputting this geometry data to an imaging application after storage is complete for display. The method for displaying 3D imagery involves a computer system receiving data from a layout in a production pipeline. The system generates geometry data for objects in the data, merges this data into one or more files, and creates a table of contents that maps objects to their locations within the merged files. This geometry data and table of contents are stored for later retrieval by editing software used for stereoscopic 3D imagery. The system identifies moving objects, generates geometry data for them, and sends unchanging (fixed) parts of the original data to the editing software.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising outputting the geometry data in a streaming manner from the memory device to an imaging application.

Plain English Translation

The method for displaying 3D imagery involves a computer system receiving data from a layout in a production pipeline. The system generates geometry data for objects in the data, merges this data into one or more files, and creates a table of contents that maps objects to their locations within the merged files. This geometry data and table of contents are stored for later retrieval by editing software used for stereoscopic 3D imagery. The system identifies moving objects, generates geometry data for them, and sends unchanging (fixed) parts of the original data to the editing software. The geometry data is outputted in a streaming manner from the memory device to an imaging application, allowing for continuous, real-time data processing.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. A non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, the computer program adapted to cause a processor based system to execute steps comprising: receiving a first set of data corresponding to an output from a layout in a production pipeline; generating geometry data for one or more objects represented within the first set of data; merging the geometry data for each of the one or more objects to create one or more merged files; generating a table of contents, wherein the table of contents specifies the location of the geometry data for each of the one or more objects within the one or more merged files; and storing the geometry data and the table of contents to a memory device for subsequent retrieval by a system running an editing software for editing stereoscopic 3D imagery; wherein the generating the geometry data step comprises identifying one or more objects in motion represented within the first set of data and ignoring fixed components of the first set of data and wherein the fixed components of the first set of data are forwarded to the system running the editing software as originally provided by the layout.

Plain English Translation

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores a program that, when executed, causes a computer system to perform the following steps: receiving data from a layout in a production pipeline; generating geometry data for objects in the data; merging this data into one or more files; creating a table of contents that maps objects to their locations within the merged files; and storing this geometry data and table of contents for later retrieval by editing software used for stereoscopic 3D imagery. The program identifies moving objects, generates geometry data for them, and sends unchanging (fixed) parts of the original data to the editing software, avoiding unnecessary geometry processing for static scene elements.

Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. The non-transitory tangible computer readable storage medium of claim 12 , wherein the generating the geometry data step further comprises: generating the geometry data for each of the one or more objects; and formatting the geometry data for each of the one or more objects.

Plain English Translation

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program where, when executed, performs the steps of receiving data from a layout in a production pipeline, generating geometry data for objects in the data, merging the data into files, creating a table of contents, storing the data and table of contents, identifying moving objects to generate geometry, and forwarding fixed components of the data directly to the editing software. The geometry data generation includes generating the actual geometry data for each object, and formatting this geometry data to prepare it for efficient use by the display system.

Claim 14

Original Legal Text

14. The non-transitory tangible computer readable storage medium of claim 13 , wherein the formatting the geometry data step comprises texturizing the geometry data for each of the one or more objects.

Plain English Translation

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program where, when executed, performs the steps of receiving data from a layout in a production pipeline, generating geometry data for objects in the data, merging the data into files, creating a table of contents, storing the data and table of contents, identifying moving objects to generate geometry, and forwarding fixed components of the data directly to the editing software. The geometry data generation includes generating the actual geometry data for each object, and formatting this data, where the formatting step specifically involves texturizing the geometry data for each object, adding surface details and visual properties.

Claim 15

Original Legal Text

15. The non-transitory tangible computer readable storage medium of claim 13 , wherein the formatting the geometry data step comprises memory aligning the geometry data into fixed sized memory blocks.

Plain English Translation

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program where, when executed, performs the steps of receiving data from a layout in a production pipeline, generating geometry data for objects in the data, merging the data into files, creating a table of contents, storing the data and table of contents, identifying moving objects to generate geometry, and forwarding fixed components of the data directly to the editing software. The geometry data generation includes generating the actual geometry data for each object, and formatting this data, where the formatting involves memory-aligning the geometry data into fixed-size memory blocks for optimized data transfer.

Claim 16

Original Legal Text

16. The non-transitory tangible computer readable storage medium of claim 12 , wherein the first set of data comprises deformable geometry data corresponding to the objects represented within the first set of data.

Plain English Translation

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores a program that, when executed, causes a computer system to perform the following steps: receiving data from a layout in a production pipeline; generating geometry data for objects in the data; merging this data into one or more files; creating a table of contents that maps objects to their locations within the merged files; and storing this geometry data and table of contents for later retrieval by editing software used for stereoscopic 3D imagery. The program identifies moving objects, generates geometry data for them, and sends unchanging (fixed) parts of the original data to the editing software. The initial data received contains deformable geometry information describing how the objects can change shape.

Claim 17

Original Legal Text

17. A system comprising: a processor based system configured to execute a computer program that causes the processor based system to execute steps including, receiving a first set of data corresponding to an output from a layout in a production pipeline; generating geometry data for one or more objects represented within the first set of data; merging the geometry data for each of the one or more objects to create one or more merged files; generating a table of contents, wherein the table of contents specifies the location of the geometry data for each of the one or more objects within the one or more merged files; and storing the geometry data and the table of contents to a memory device for subsequent retrieval by a system running an editing software for editing stereoscopic 3D imagery; wherein means for generating the geometry data comprises means for identifying one or more objects in motion represented within the first set of data and ignoring fixed components of the first set of data; and wherein the fixed components of the first set of data are forwarded to the system running the editing software as originally provided by the layout.

Plain English Translation

A system comprises a processor configured to run a program. The program receives data from a layout in a production pipeline, generates geometry data for objects in the data, merges this geometry data into one or more files, creates a table of contents mapping objects to their file locations, and stores the geometry data and table of contents for later retrieval by 3D editing software. The system identifies moving objects, generates geometry for them, and sends fixed components of the data to the editing software.

Claim 18

Original Legal Text

18. The system for claims 17 , wherein the step of generating the geometry data further comprises: generating the geometry data for each of the one or more objects; and formatting the geometry data for each of the one or more objects.

Plain English Translation

The system comprises a processor configured to run a program where the program receives data from a layout in a production pipeline, generates geometry data for objects in the data, merges this geometry data into one or more files, creates a table of contents mapping objects to their file locations, stores the geometry data and table of contents, identifies moving objects generating geometry, and sends fixed data to the editing software. The geometry generation further includes generating the actual geometry data and formatting it for optimal display processing.

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Patent Metadata

Filing Date

January 21, 2009

Publication Date

June 25, 2013

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